A merger refers to the process whereby at least two companies combine to form one single company. Business firms make use of mergers and acquisitions for consolidation of markets as well as for gaining a competitive edge in the industry.
Merger types can be broadly classified into the following five subheads as described below.
They are Horizontal Merger, Conglomeration, Vertical Merger, Product-Extension Merger and Market-Extension Merger.
Horizontal Merger refers to the merger of two companies who are direct competitors of one another. They serve the same market and sell the same product.
Conglomeration refers to the merger of companies, which do not either sell any related products or cater to any related markets. Here, the two companies entering the merger process do not possess any common business ties.
Vertical Merger is effected either between a company and a customer or between a company and a supplier.
Product-Extension Merger is executed among companies, which sell different products of a related category. They also seek to serve a common market. This type of merger enables the new company to go in for a pooling in of their products so as to serve a common market, which was earlier fragmented among them.
Market-Extension Merger occurs between two companies that sell identical products in different markets. It basically expands the market base of the product.
Certified Mergers and Acquisitions
Horizontal Mergers
Vertical Mergers
Market Extension Merger and Product Extension Merger
Conglomerate Mergers